Black Coffee (born Nkosinathi Maphumulo in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal) is a DJ, music producer and a true modern-day renaissance man, now among the most influential figures in electronic music worldwide.
His musical career began in the mid-1990s in South Africa, but it was in 2003 that he made his name with the release of his first self-titled album, a project that revealed his deep, soulful style to the world on the house scene. Since then, Black Coffee has built a solid reputation as one of his country's most respected and innovative DJs, characterised by a sound rich in percussion, African roots, jazz, organic electronica and emotive vocals.
With a successful discography that includes albums such as Have Another One (2007), Home Brewed (2009), Africa Rising (2012), Pieces of Me (2015) and Subconsciously (2021), his musical vision has always merged with stage ambition and cultural pride. The Africa Rising event, for example, marked a historic turning point: a live performance inside Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium with a 24-piece orchestra, percussion and live keyboards, hosting artists such as Bucie, Zakes Bantwini and Brothers of Peace.
His style has been dubbed 'Afropolitan House', a metropolitan fusion of techno and African tradition. From 2015, his fame explodes globally with appearances at festivals such as Ultra Miami, Tomorrowland and Coachella. From there, his rise takes him to be one of the world's most in-demand performers, with a 21-week residency at Hï Ibiza active for five seasons and tours in over 82 countries on five continents.
Also in the studio, Black Coffee continues to push the boundaries of electronic music: among his most notable collaborations are Alicia Keys, Drake (whose album Honestly, Nevermind, he was executive producer), and the likes of Pharrell Williams, Usher, Diplo, RyX, David Guetta. His album Subconsciously won him the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album.
Beyond music, Black Coffee is also an active philanthropist: through the Black Coffee Foundation, he supports South Africa's most fragile communities, with a focus on people in need or with disabilities. His commitment also extends to the business world with FlightMode Digital, an investment company promoting innovation in Africa, the YAWA concept fashion store, and design projects such as Hallmark House in collaboration with Tristan Du Plessis.
Despite his global fame and extraordinary success, Black Coffee remains humble, curious and determined, always looking for new ways to express his art and connect with audiences. With a new album in the works and a packed live schedule for 2023 and beyond, he continues to represent not only his country, but the entire African continent to the world with his boundless talent and artistic vision.